Wallpaper picture frame

ABSTRACT

A decorative sheet or wallpaper picture frame for installation on the interior wall of a home or building. The decorative sheet or wallpaper picture frame comprises a back sheet, a front sheet, and a window located within the front sheet. An image is inserted between the back sheet and the front sheet for display in the window. A transparent cover may be used to protect the image while being displayed. The front sheet provides a relesable bottom for enabling the insertion and removal of the images from the wallpaper picture frame. Alternatively, a sleeve located between the back sheet and the front sheet may be used to releasably retain images within the wallpaper picture frame.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wallpaper and, more particularly, to a wallpaper that provides a picture frame for displaying an endless array of pictures or themes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Ever since the advent of wallpaper and hanging picture frames, people have been decorating the interior walls of their homes and businesses with either a wallpaper that depicts the design of their liking or with hanging frames displaying pictures for viewing. However, to preserve the integrity of the wallpaper, these people could never attach or combine the picture frame directly to the wallpaper or create an integrated theme between the wallpaper and the picture frame. Instead, the wallpaper and the picture frame had to remain separate distinct elements. Also, once a picture frame was installed on a wall, the pictures in those frames were almost never changed due to the inconvenience and hastle that accompanied such a change. This typically included removing the frame from the wall, opening the frame, removing the backing, inserting a new picture, re-positioning the backing, re-assemblying the frame, and then re-installing the frame back on the wall. If there were a half dozen frames, this could turn into a very unwelcome project.

As can be seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,216,374; 6,124,953; 5,898,962; 4,937,962; and D436,737, devices have been implemented in an attempt to combine images with displays. However, each fail to provide a simple, efficient, and practical way to incorporate a graphical image such as a picture into a decorative sheet of paper such as wallpaper.

Thus, there is a need and there has never been disclosed Applicant's unique wallpaper picture frame design.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a decorative sheet of paper such as wallpaper having means to display graphical or other images such as a picture.

Another primary object of the present invention is to enable the decorative sheet to provide a plurality of images for displaying an endless array of varying themes. A related object of the present invention is to provide a decorative sheet having a decorative surface for enhancing the varying display themes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for releasably retaining the images without the need for removing the entire front surface of the decorative sheet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an alternate means for releasably retaining the images without the need for removing any portion of the front surface of the decorative sheet.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device that is safe and easy to use.

Other objects of the present invention will become more apparent to persons having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a decorative sheet or wallpaper picture frame for installation on the interior wall of a home or building. The decorative sheet or wallpaper picture frame comprises a back sheet, a front sheet, and a window located within the front sheet. An image is inserted between the back sheet and the front sheet for display in the window. A transparent cover may be used to protect the image while being displayed. The front sheet provides a relesable bottom for enabling the insertion and removal of images from the wallpaper picture frame, as desired. Alternatively, a sleeve located between the back sheet and the front sheet may be used to releasably retain images within the wallpaper picture frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Description of the Preferred Embodiment will be better understood with reference to the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wallpaper picture frame invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the wallpaper picture frame.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view with portions removed depicting the insertion of an image into the window of the wallpaper picture frame.

FIG. 4 is a side cross sectional view with portions removed, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3, illustrating the image as it is being inserted into the window of the wallpaper picture frame.

FIG. 5 is a side cross sectional view, with portions removed, depicting the closing of the decorative sheet upon receiving the image.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the wallpaper picture frame invention.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view with portions removed of the alternate embodiment depicting an image being inserted into the open window of the wallpaper picture frame.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view with portions removed of the alternate embodiment depicting the window of the wallpaper picture frame being closed by a transparent cover upon receiving an image.

FIG. 9 is a top cross sectional view, taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7, depicting the image being inserted into the wallpaper picture frame.

FIG. 10 is a top cross sectional view, taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 8, depicating the wallpaper picture frame being closed by the transparent cover upon receiving the image.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a decorative sheet or wallpaper picture frame 20. The wallpaper picture frame 20 is preferably installed on the interior surface of a wall 22 located within a home, commercial, or other type of building. In a non-limiting example, the wallpaper picture frame 20 is depicted as a border along the wall 22. It is also contemplated that the wallpaper picture frame 20 may cover an entire wall 22 or all the walls of an entire room. The wallpaper picture frame 20 is preferably made of any suitable type material for installation and use as describe herein.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the wallpaper picture frame 20 comprises a back sheet 26, a front sheet 24, and a window 28 located in the front sheet 24.

The back sheet 26 has a back surface interior side 30 and a back surface exterior side 32. In the preferred embodiment, the exterior side 32 is disposed with a bonding layer 34 for attaching the wallpaper picture frame 20 to the wall 22. Preferably the bonding layer 34 is a spray adhesive, a paste, or any other means known to one skilled in the art for attaching wallpaper to a wall. The interior side 30 provides a smooth, primarily flat surface.

The front sheet 24 has a front surface interior side 36 and a front surface exterior side 38. The front surface exterior side 38 may be imprinted with any indicia 54 thereon. The indicia 54 may be any graphical design, picture, symbol, words, logo, or any combination thereof. In the preferred embodiment, the interior side 36 is disposed with a seal 40 for attaching the interior side 36 of the front sheet 24 to the interior side 30 of the back sheet 26. The seal 40 is preferably a glue, bonding adhesive or any other means known to one skilled in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the seal 40 is formed around the exterior edges of the window 28 and, in particular, along a top portion 42 and side portions 44 of the window 28.

Located on a bottom portion 46 of the window 28 is a securing means 48 for releaseably securing the bottom portion 46 of the window 28 to the interior side 30 of the back sheet 26. Preferably, the securing means 48 is an adhesive or any other means known to one skilled in the art for releaseably attaching the front sheet 24 to the back sheet 26. As depicted, the securing means 48 extends across substantially the entire bottom of the window 28. Alternatively, the securing means 48 can extend in a continuous strip along substantially the entire length of the bottom portion 46. This enables a consistent, even attachment of the front sheet 24 to the back sheet 26, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the securing means 48 may extend across any shorter length of the bottom portion 46 provided that there is a sufficient securing means 48 for attaching the front sheet 24 to the back sheet 26.

Situated between the front sheet 24 and the back sheet 26 and behind the window 28 is an image 50 and a transparent cover 52. When the wallpaper picture frame 20 is in its assembled form, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the wallpaper picture frame 20 provides a seamless combination of wallpaper and pictures for creating a visual display or desired theme for any wall.

The means for inserting an image 50 into the wallpaper picture frame 20 is illustrated in FIGS. 3-5. Assuming the wallpaper picture frame 20 is already installed on the wall 22 such as illustrated in FIG. 1 and the window 28 is empty, the bottom portion 46 is to be pulled away from the wall 22. Using sufficient force to overcome the securing means 48, the bottom portion 46 of the front sheet 24 will be released from the back sheet 26 thereby creating an opening 54 between the front sheet 24 and the back sheet 26, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Once the opening 54 is created, the image 50, as illustrated in FIG. 3, is inserted into the opening 54 between the front sheet 24 and the back sheet 26. The image 50 then continues in the direction of Arrow A (FIG. 4) until the image 50 reaches the top portion 42 of the window 28. If desired, the transparent cover 52 may also be inserted in the same manner between the image 50 and the front sheet 24 (see FIG. 3). If the transparent cover 52 is not used, the image 50 must have a length and/or width that is slightly larger than the length and/or width of the window 28 to prevent the image 50 from falling forward through the window 28 and out of the wallpaper picture frame 20. Alternatively, if the transparent cover 52 is used, the image 50 may have a length and/or width that is smaller than the length and/or width of the window 28 provided that the image 50 that is used is of sufficient size and shape to be visible in the window 28. In this situation, the transparent cover 52 should have a length and/or width that is slightly larger than the length and/or width of the window 28 to prevent the transparent cover 52 and then the image 50 from falling forward through the window 28 and out of the wallpaper picture frame 20. Also, the transparent cover 52 is preferably made of a transparent flexible, durable plastic or other suitable material for protecting the integrity of the image 50 and preventing scratches or other damage that may occur while the image 50 is being displayed in the wallpaper picture frame 20. Once the image 50 and transparent cover 52, if desired, are inserted into the wallpaper picture frame 20 behind the window 28, the bottom portion 46 of the front sheet 24 is moved in the direction of Arrow B (FIG. 5) toward the wall 22 for reengaging the back sheet 26. Once the securing means 40 reaches the back sheet 26 and applying sufficient force on the bottom portion 46 of the front sheet 24, the opening 54 will be closed and the front sheet 24 will be reattached to the back sheet 26 as illustrated in FIG. 5. Upon reattachment, the wallpaper picture frame 20 provides a consistent, uniform appearance. In this manner, the front sheet 24, the back sheet 26, and the transparent cover 52, if used, coact to apply opposed lateral forces on the image thereby securing the image 50 in position relative to the window 28. Alternatively, the image 50 may rest on the securing means 48 between the front sheet 24 and the back sheet 26 while being displayed in the window 28. Should the image 50 be desired to be removed, one need simply to perform the same procedure as described above for removing and inserting another image 50.

In an alternate embodiment of the wallpaper picture frame 20, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the front sheet 24, the back sheet 26, the image 50, and the transparent cover 52 remain the same as in the original embodiment. In this embodiment: (1) the front sheet 24 is permanently affixed to the back sheet 26; and (2) a different means, in the form of a sleeve 56, is provided for releasably retaining the image 50 into the wallpaper picture frame 20.

The sleeve 56 comprises a top member 58, a side member 60, a bottom member 62, and a back member 64. In the preferred embodiment, the sleeve 56 has a height 70 (FIG. 7) that is slightly larger than the height of the window 28.

The back member 64 is disposed with a bonding layer 66 (FIG. 9) for attaching the back member 64 to the back sheet 26. Preferably the bonding layer 66 is a spray adhesive, a paste, or any other means known to one skilled in the art for attachment to a wall. The opposite side of the back member 64 facing the front sheet 24 preferably provides a smooth, primarily flat surface. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the sleeve 56 may use the back sheet 26 as the back member and thereby eliminate the need for the back member 64.

The side member 60 is likewise attached to the interior side 36 of the front sheet 24 using the same bonding layer 66. The combination of the back member 64 and the side member 60 coacts to secure the sleeve 56 between the front sheet 24 and the back sheet 26.

The top member 58 and the bottom member 62, if desired, may additionally be attached to either the front sheet 24 or the back sheet 26 for increased strength and support for the sleeve 56. The main purpose of the top member 58 and the bottom member 62 is to provide a means to prevent the image 50 and/or transparent cover 52 from slipping out from the top or bottom of the wallpaper picture frame 20.

Once the sleeve 56 is in position, a channel 68 (FIG. 9) is formed between the back member 64 of the sleeve 56 and the front sheet 24. Adjacent to the channel 68 is an elongated track 72 (FIG. 9) which is formed between the back member 64 of the sleeve 56 and the window 28.

A transparent cover 52 is illustrated as being inserted into the wallpaper picture frame 20 in FIGS. 6-10. Assuming the wallpaper picture frame 20 is already installed on the wall 22 such as illustrated in FIG. 1 and the window 28 is empty, the transparent cover 52 is inserted, in the direction of Arrow C (FIGS. 6, 7), into and through the window 28. The transparent cover 52 continues into the track 72 until the entire transparent cover 52 is contained within the track 72 and sleeve 56. In the preferred embodiment, the transparent cover 52 has at least a length that is slightly larger than the length of the window 28. This prevents the image 50 and/or the transparent cover 52 from falling out through the window 28 when in use. Alternatively, the transparent cover 52 may be inserted into the track 72 from behind the front sheet 24 prior to assembly of the wallpaper picture frame 20. In this situation, the transparent cover 52 may have a length and/or height which is slightly larger than the length and/or height of the window 28.

At this point, an image 50 is ready to be inserted into the wallpaper picture frame 20. The transparent cover 52 is further moved in the direction of Arrow C until one end of the transparent cover 52 enters the channel 68 and reaches side member 60 of the sleeve 56. When this happens, a gap 74 is created at the other end of the transparent cover 52 between the transparent cover 52 and the window 28. The image 50 is then inserted into the gap 74 in the direction of Arrow D. Preferably, the image 50 is inserted into the track 72 between the transparent cover 52 and the back member 64 until the entire image 50 is within the sleeve 56 and centered behind the window 28, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The transparent cover 52 is then moved in the direction of Arrow E until the transparent cover 52 is centered behind the window 28, as illustrated in FIG. 10. In use, the image 50 and transparent cover 52 rest upon and are supported by the bottom member 62. Should the image 50 be desired to be removed from the wallpaper picture frame 20, one need simply perform the same procedure in the reverse order as described above. In this manner, the image 50 is releasably retained within the wallpaper picture frame 20.

Thus, there has been provided a wallpaper picture frame for inserting and removing a variety of images for displaying an endless array of pictures or themes on a wall. While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it in intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A wallpaper, comprising: a front sheet, a back sheet, a top side, and a bottom side, the front sheet and the back sheet each providing an exterior side and an interior side; a window disposed in the front sheet; an image situated between the interior sides of the front sheet and the back sheet for display in the window; means for releasably separating the front sheet from the back sheet for providing an opening between the interior sides of the front sheet and the back sheet for inserting the image therebetween; and means for securing the image between the interior sides of the front sheet and the back sheet for display in the window; wherein the wallpaper is installed on a wall structure for displaying the image as contained within the wallpaper.
 2. The wallpaper device of claim 1 wherein the means for releasably separating the front sheet from the back sheet for providing the opening is a strip of adhesive.
 3. The wallpaper device of claim 2 wherein the strip of adhesive is affixed to the interior side of the front sheet.
 4. The wallpaper device of claim 3 wherein the strip of adhesive is located on a portion of the interior side of the front sheet below the window.
 5. The wallpaper device of claim 1 wherein the opening is on the bottom side of the wallpaper.
 6. The wallpaper device of claim 1 and further comprising a transparent cover situated between the image and the window for protecting the image while in use.
 7. The wallpaper device of claim 1 wherein the means for securing the image for display in the window is created by the opposed lateral forces exerted upon the image from the front sheet and back sheet.
 8. The wallpaper device of claim 1 and further comprising indicia imprinted on the exterior side of the front sheet.
 9. A decorative sheet for displaying various pictures and themes on an interior wall, comprising: a first layer having a front side and a back side; a plurality of windows disposed in the first layer between the front side and the back side, each of the plurality of windows positioned in the first layer for defining a top edge, opposed side edges, and a bottom edge in the first layer; a second layer having a front side and a back side; an image situated between the back side of the first layer and the front side of the second layer for display in each of the plurality of windows; means for releasably attaching the bottom edge of the back side of the first layer from the front side of the second layer for providing an opening between them for inserting the image into the decorative sheet; means for securely affixing the top edge and opposed side edges of the back side of the first layer to the front side of the second layer; means for securing the plurality of images behind the plurality of windows; and means for affixing the back side of the second layer to the interior wall.
 10. The decorative sheet of claim 9 wherein the means for releasably attaching the bottom edge of the first layer to the second layer is a strip of adhesive.
 11. The decorative sheet of claim 9 and further comprising a transparent cover situated between each of the plurality of images and each of the plurality of windows for protecting the images while in use.
 12. The decorative sheet of claim 9 wherein the means for securing the plurality of images for display in the plurality of windows is created by the opposed lateral forces exerted upon each image from the first layer and the second layer.
 13. The decorative sheet of claim 9 and further comprising indicia imprinted on the front side of the first layer.
 14. A method for displaying various pictures and themes on a wall, comprising the steps of: providing a decorative sheet having a front sheet, a back sheet, a top side, and a bottom side, the front sheet and the back sheet each providing an exterior side and an interior side, a first bonding layer affixed to the exterior side of the back sheet, a window disposed in the front sheet, a strip of adhesive affixed to the interior side of the front sheet at the bottom of the window, and a second bonding layer affixed to the remaining interior side of the front sheet; affixing the interior side of the front sheet to the interior side of the back sheet using the combination of the second bonding layer and the strip of adhesive for creating the decorative sheet; installing the decorative sheet on the wall by affixing the exterior side of the back sheet to the wall using the first bonding layer; pulling on the front sheet below the window for removing the attachment of the strip of adhesive from the interior side of the back sheet thereby separating the interior side of the front sheet from the interior side of the back sheet for creating an opening between them; inserting an image through the opening and into the decorative sheet between the interior side of the front sheet and the interior side of the back sheet for display in the window; and pushing on the front sheet below the window for reattaching the strip of adhesive from the interior side of the front sheet to the interior side of the back sheet for closing the opening.
 15. The method of claim 14 and further comprising the step of inserting a transparent cover through the opening and into the decorative sheet for protecting the image while on display.
 16. A wallpaper having a front sheet, a back sheet, a top side, and a bottom side, the front sheet and the back sheet each providing an exterior side and an interior side, the improvement comprising: a window disposed in the front sheet; a sleeve disposed between the interior sides of the front sheet and the back sheet, the sleeve having a back panel and a side member, the back panel having a front layer, a rear layer, a top, a bottom, and opposed sides, the side member attached along one of the opposed sides and extending outwardly from the back panel, the rear layer of the back panel attaching to the interior side of the back sheet, the side member attaching to the interior side of the front sheet, the back panel and the side member coacting for providing a track within the sleeve; a transparent cover situated in the track of the sleeve and located in a resting position behind the window and a portion of the front sheet; an image situated in the track of the sleeve behind the transparent cover for display in the window, the transparent cover traversing the track to an opening position for enabling the insertion and removal of the image from the wallpaper.
 17. The wallpaper of claim 16 and further comprising a top member attached to the top of the back panel for preventing the image from falling out through the top side of the wallpaper.
 18. The wallpaper of claim 16 and further comprising a bottom member attached to the bottom of the back panel for preventing the image from falling out through the bottom side of the wallpaper.
 19. The wallpaper of claim 16 and further comprising a channel created between the back panel, the side member, and the portion of the front sheet.
 20. The wallpaper of claim 19 wherein the transparent cover has a leading edge and a trailing edge, the transparent cover moving from the resting position to the opening position upon traversing the track until the leading edge is received into the channel.
 21. The wallpaper of claim 20 wherein a gap is created between the trailing edge of the transparent cover and the window when the transparent cover is in the opening position.
 22. The wallpaper of claim 21 wherein the image is inserted and removed from the wallpaper through the gap.
 23. A method for displaying various pictures and themes in a wallpaper installed on a wall, comprising the steps of: providing the wallpaper having a front sheet, a back sheet, a top side, and a bottom side, the front sheet and the back sheet each providing an exterior side and an interior side, a window disposed in the front sheet, a sleeve disposed between the interior sides of the front sheet and the back sheet, the sleeve having a back panel and a side member, the back panel having a front layer, a rear layer, a top, a bottom, and opposed sides, the side member attached along one of the opposed sides and extending outwardly from the back panel, the rear layer of the back panel attaching to the interior side of the back sheet, the side member attaching to the interior side of the front sheet, the back panel and the side member coacting for providing a track within the sleeve, a transparent cover situated in the track of the sleeve and located in a resting position behind the window and a portion of the front sheet, the transparent cover traversing the track to an opening position; moving the transparent cover from the resting position to the opening position for creating a gap between the opposite end of the transparent cover and the window; inserting an image through the gap and into the track of the sleeve behind the transparent cover for display in the window; closing the gap by moving the transparent cover from the opening position back to the resting position. 